A genuine Third Reich War Merit Medal, bronze, bearing the design of the War Merit Cross to the obverse, with the inscription "Für Kriegsverdienst 1939" to the reverse. The medal is threaded on a length of original ribbon in the red-white-black-white-red scheme, with a thin red stripe to the centre of the black band.
The award was instituted on 19 August 1940 to recognise outstanding service by civilians in furtherance of the war effort, most commonly presented to factory workers who significantly exceeded production quotas. It was awarded to both German and non-German civilians, men and women alike.
A nice example of this Second World War German civilian decoration, suitable for the collector of Second World War medals and militaria.
AJMS Medals